Of course, it is impossible to completely escape a city’s feelings and expectations — especially when the club’s all-time leading scorer, Alan Shearer, texts the club captain, Bruno Guimaraes, on the eve of the game. But his message was not one spewing emotion, but a clinical instruction: “Bring that trophy back.”

Eddie Howe was pictured on the private plane which brought the squad back with the trophy which ended the the Magpies' 70-year wait for domestic silverware on Sunday. The square were also honoured with a water salute from Newcastle Airport's fire service as the plane touched down.